Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 9/12/2018MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING ASU THUNDERBIRD CAMPUS 1 GLOBAL PLACE YOUNT AUDITORIUM, ROOM #100 GLENDALE, ARIZONA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Hirsch called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. Commissioners Present: Commissioners Crow, Harper, Lenox, Moreno, and Vice Chairperson Hirsch were present. Commissioner Absent: Commissioner Wilfong was absent and excused. City Staff Present: David Williams, AICP, Planning Administrator, Tabitha Perry, Special Projects Executive Officer, James Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chairperson Hirsch stated there were no minutes for approval. WITHDRAWALS AND CONTINUANCES Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked for Withdrawals and Continuances. There were none. PUBUCHEARJNG ITEMS Vice Chairperson Hirsch called for the Public Hearing Items. VILLAGE AT THUNDERBIRD GPA18-04: A request by Mike Withey, Withey Morris, PLC, representing ASU, for a Major General Plan Amendment for approximately 158 acres to amend the land use designation of 110 acres from Corporate Commerce Center and 40 acres of Education to approximately 85 acres to Corporate Commerce Center and 72 acres to Medium- High Density Residential (8 dwelling units per acre). The site is located at the southeast comer of 59th Avenue and Greenway Road (15249 North 59th Avenue) and is in the Sahuaro District. Staff Contact: Tabitha Perry, Special Projects Executive Officer (623) 930-2596. Tabitha Perry, Special Projects Executive Officer, made staffs presentation. She stated this was a request by Mike Withey, Withey Morris, PLC, representing ASU, for a Major General Plan Amendment for approximately 158 acres to amend the land use designation of 110 acres from Corporate Commerce Center and 40 acres of Education to approximately 85 acres to Corporate Commerce Center and 72 acres to Medium-High Density Residential. She said the site is located at the southeast corner of 59th Avenue and Greenway Road and is in the Sahuaro District. September 12,2018 Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 She explained that the Arizona Revised Statute Title 9 and the Envision Glendale 2040 General Plan identifies the proposal as a major amendment, which requires a 60-day notification to specific agencies and anyone who requests it, requires two public hearings before Planning Commission at different locations and one hearing before City Council. She said the second public meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 18, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in City Chambers at City Hall. She noted that during this meeting, Planning Commission will make a recommendation to forward to City Council for a final vote. Ms. Perry reiterated this request is only for a Major General Plan Amendment. She noted the Corporate Commerce Center provides for development of mixed use employment centers with complimentary community and specialty such as retail and hotel. She added that education and integrated urban character housing is permitted in limited quantities and MHDR 8 allows for a combination of housing types. Thus far, State Statutes requirement and the Citizen Participation Process has been met for this application. However, they still need to go before City Council before the end of this calendar year. Ms. Perry stated the applicant has conducted three public meetings. On March 29, 2018, the applicant attended a Community Invitational Meeting, hosted by Councilmember Malnar, to discuss the pending application. She said discussions included the 2008 rezoning application and questions of concern involved the rezoning application, which is not part of major general plan amendments. Councilmember Malnar's Sahuaro District held a meeting on April 26, 2018; staff provided a brief presentation on the proposed application. Citizens asked questions regarding landscape buffering, lot sizes, proposed permitted land uses and provided historical details on the property. Since a rezoning application was not submitted, staff could not specifically speak on these items and agreed to share these comments with the applicant. On August 2, 2018, the applicant mailed notification letters to adjacent property owners and interested parties regarding a neighborhood meeting to be held on August 13, 2018. She noted attendees' mainly focused on several components: (1) compatibility of proposed commercial and residential land uses with surrounding zoning districts and the character of the area; (2) status of education remaining a permitted land use; (3) development standards (4) historic preservation of existing buildings on campus; (5) impact of multifamily and commercial development; and (6) traffic circulation. Although the applicant's team and city staff provided basic information on several rezoning questions, the focus of the meeting was intended to focus on the proposed major General Plan Amendment. She said attendees were advised the proposed CCC land use designation would allow for education related land uses. All other inquires expressed would need to be evaluated once a draft Planned Area Development document is submitted for review and a future neighborhood meeting would be held to discuss the entitlements with surrounding property September 12,2018 Planning Commission Special Meetmg Minutes Page 3 owners and interested parties. However, since they do not have a rezoning application that staff has had the opportunity to review; they are not in a position to address these questions. Ms. Perry added that staff sent notifications to several other public agencies, including all abutting jurisdictions, on July 9, 2018 to provide them with a 60-day comment period in conformance with state statutes regarding major General Plan Amendments. She said this meeting was for informational purposes only. She asked for any questions from the Commissioners. There were none. Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked the applicant to make a presentation. Mike Withey, Withey Morris, PLC, representing ASU, stated he was here with his colleagues to answer any questions. He said they have been working with staff for a long time on this project and it has been a great experience working with them. They are very excited to be working on this infill development project. However, this was only the first step to start the process of the Plan Amendment cycle. He wanted to echo Ms. Perry's comments that this was only a request for the Major General Plan Amendment and not the rezoning. He provided a brief history stating that in 2008, the property was rezoned; therefore, the property has significant entitlements and land uses. He reiterated that the only case in this issue is the General Plan Amendment. He discussed the colored areas on the map stating that their proposal was much clearer and reflective of the surrounding land use patterns and zoning approvals. Accordingly, they have located the CCC designation to more at the immediate corner of 59th and Greenway on the frontage ways of the major arterials and along the existing campuses. They have also taken the residential category and wrapped it around the vacant land so that it is adjacent to single-family homes to the east and south. He said this would allow a variety of housing types. Mr. Withey stated they will continue to conduct public meetings on this application as they continue to move forward. He concluded his presentation and said he was prepared to answer any questions. There were none. Vice Chairperson Hirsch opened the public hearing. Ron Short, 5416 West Bryce Lane, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated he was President of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society and speaking on behalf of the board. He stated that if the purpose was to redevelop the area this application was fine. He said his concern was that they would like to see another college considered instead of this development. He believes there were a number of colleges willing to relocate to this area and expand their branches. Another concern was that there has been no discussion on the historical preservation aspect, which it should, as part of the planning process. Vicki Wright, 5349 West Country Gables, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated her traffic concerns with this application. An additional concern was with the public notification process. She asked September 12,2018 Planning Commission Special Meeting Mmutes Page 4 if there was a way to ensure interested parties receive the notification letters because she did not receive information on two of the public meetings. Ms. Perry explained the first two public meetings were held at the request of Councilmember Malnar of the Sahuaro District. One of the meetings was to address a pending application and the other meeting was a district meeting that was announced in his newsletter. She explained that for the August 13, 2018 formal meeting, the applicant mailed notification letters to adjacent property owners and interested parties regarding a neighborhood meeting to a radius of 300 feet. Vice Chairperson Hirsch stated the city's requirements are 300 feet; however, he suggested residents contact their local councilmember for further information. Gary Livingston, 5231 West Port Au Prince, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated he was skeptical of the application as presented today. He wondered why they were doing the GPA or rezoning the area. He would like to know who was behind this development and who the builder was. He also had traffic concerns along 59th Avenue. Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked if he preferred commercial or residential and does he believe the existing plan is better than the one proposed. Mr. Livingston noted his concern with traffic and hopes he never has a fire at his home. He noted that commercial property would be better along 59th Avenue traffic and the north side ofGreenway. Todd Bond, 5650 West Acoma, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated he was concerned with the number of housing coming in the area. He was worried with two story houses being developed and people looking into their backyards. Davita Solter, 5734 West Acoma Drive, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated that the community keeps getting different messages. She said her major concern was how ASU purchased the land with the idea that things were to remain the same and now they are all here talking about an amendment and what is going to happen on this site. She explained that traffic will be more demanding on Acoma which was a big concern. She does not believe the two district meetings held by Councilmember Malnar be used as public meetings for this application. Brian Rush, 5644 West Acoma Drive, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated he has lived on Acoma for the last 40 years. He was very concerned with all the housing coming into the area. Rion Lane, 6140 West Evans Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, resident, stated his concerns as to how they measure the 300 feet notification. He asked how they will address the undeveloped land as well as the YMCA. He inquired about an open space with amenities for kids' recreation. There were no further comments from the public. Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked if the applicant would like to offer any closing comments. September 12,2018 Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes Page 5 Mr. Withey stated he could not do anything about the current mailing notification process. He said they receive the list from the city. However, he will be happy to take names and addresses down to put on the mailing list. He stated they are aware of citizens concerns regarding the compatibility of proposed commercial and residential land uses with surrounding zoning districts and the character of the area. They are also aware of the concerns the residents have regarding the impact ofmultifamily and commercial development; and traffic circulation. They are working on these issues and will be answering these questions as this application moves forward. He added they are continuing talks with YMCA in contents to the PAD zoning case and will have more information in the near future. He said regarding the CCC, they have confirmed with staff that the educational facilities are allowed. In closing, he appreciates staff report and direct them to their findings. Commissioner Crow thanked Mr. Withey for a great presentation. However, he would like to make clear for the record the residents' concerns with the density of the project. Mr. Withey stated they were very aware of their concerns. Ms. Perry stated the 300 feet notification begins from the property line in each direction. In response to a question regarding one of the public meetings and her not sharing information, she said she was not prepared to speak on this application or answer questions since there was not an application on file. She explained that once the application is filed, they will have more information to answer questions and be as transparent as possible. With no further comments. Vice Chairperson Hirsch closed the public hearing. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Vice Chairperson Hirsch called for Comments and Suggestions. There were none. PLANNING STAFF REPORT Vice Chairperson Hirsch asked if there was a Planning Staff Report. David Williams, AICP, Planning Administrator, stated the Planning Commission will hold their second meeting on October 18, 2018 where they will vote and make a recommendation to City Council. He said as a point of information, the City Council held a workshop regarding annexation policy and staff received some direction. This information is available through the City Clerk's Office. Planning will also be having a workshop to access the current notification requirements policy. In addition, they recently hired an administrative assistant and are reviewing applications for a Planner position. NEXT MEETING October 18, 2018 Planning Commission September 12,2018 Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes Page 6 ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Vice Chairperson Hirsch called for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Harper made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Crow seconded the motion, which was approved with a vote of 6 to 0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Diana Figueroa Recording Secretary